Syracuse Clubs to spend thousands on Conference

Syracuse, NY-- The Boys & Girls Clubs of Syracuse is sending staff along with their spouses to New York City for two days to attend the Boys & Girls Clubs of America National Conference. Club staff and their spouses will be flown to New York City, stay at the Marriot Hotel in Mid-Town Manhattan and attend the conference all paid for by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Syracuse. The Clubs will send at least 10 to the conference in New York City. According to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America's web-site, the cost for the hotel per night is $289 a night excluding taxes and registration fees for staff members is $350 per staff. In all, the trip could cost the Club in excess of $7,000 for the conference.

Traditionally, the national Boys & Girls Clubs Conference is geared toward Executive staff and Board Members as many of the topics involve Strategic Planning, Board Development and Fundraising. Traditionally, Board Members who attend the conference pay for their own fees and room to avoid the Clubs paying for it. While it is not uncommon for Clubs close to National Conferences to send front line staff, it is uncommon for front line staff to be flown and bring spouses at the expense of the Clubs. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Syracuse has three Club vans and is located less than 4 hours from the City and spending thousands of dollars for flights seems excessive.

During a time of difficult and challenging economic times, many agencies cut travel and training to support the budget needs of the Agency. The Boys & Girls Clubs of America offers many more local training programs within driving distance to save local Clubs money. The Boys & Girls Clubs of America will offer a local training conference in Schenectady, NY this summer at a cost of less than $50 per staff person. At this time, no Syracuse members have registered for the training.

The conference is scheduled to be held during the week and it is unclear if the staff attending will impact the services at the Clubs during that time. Last year the Clubs were only open less than 180 days last year and are closed when school is closed, weekends and extended 6 week break from August to October.